Board and staff updates: new faces and a fond farewell
Welcome back to Sumair Sheikh as he rejoins our Board of Trustees
The Northland Foundation Board of Trustees has elected Sumair Sheikh as their newest member. Sumair is, however, already very familiar with our organization and board. He served as a Northland Trustee starting in 2018 until voluntarily stepping down in the spring of 2022. At the time, he was embarking on a new job as the Executive Director at LISC Duluth and wanted to give his full attention to making that transition.
He began his new three-year board term in October.
“The Board and staff are pleased that Sumair is ready and willing to serve again. Like all our Trustees, he brings valuable insights to the table,” stated Northland Foundation’s President, Tony Sertich.
He began his career as a teacher and community organizer in Duluth, Ann Arbor, Chicago, and Boston. Alongside his education sector work, he established a consulting practice working with municipal leaders in Minnesota including the City of Duluth. Prior to leading LISC Duluth, he worked with school districts in the region, as well as in the Twin Cities, bridging resources between community and schools, designing and implementing racial equity and cultural competency systems.
“Sumair’s resume and experience align closely with Northland’s programs and priorities, and he understands well both the funder and the recipient perspectives.” — Tony Sertich
Sheikh has a master’s degree in advocacy and political leadership from the University of Minnesota Duluth; a bachelor’s degree in biology from Michigan State University; and a secondary teacher certification from Eastern Michigan University.
Welcome back, Sumair.
Introducing Jenny Eaton, SBDC Program Coordinator
Earlier this month, Jennifer Eaton joined our staff in the newly created role of Program Coordinator for the Northland Small Business Development Center (SBDC). She will help manage the day-to-day operations of the SBDC, as well as drive special initiatives forward. She works with the Regional Director, Vicki Hagberg, five fellow Northland SBDC employee consultants and administrative staff, and a team of 10 independent contractor consultants.
She brings experience in finance, administration, small business start-up and operations, and nonprofit management to the job. Jenny launched and ran a rural small business for seven years and most recently was the Associate Director of a Duluth-area nonprofit. Her career also includes six years with the Army Reserves. She is also in the process of completing a degree in organizational leadership from The College of St. Scholastica.
“Jenny brings personal understanding of the processes of small business startup and growth, passion for organizational leadership and staff development, and the desire to see small businesses succeed,” stated Vicki Hagberg, the Northland SBDC Regional Coordinator. “We are excited to have someone with her background and skill set, so perfectly aligned with our work at the SBDC.”
The Northland SBDC is hosted by the Northland Foundation and provides one-on-one technical assistance to entrepreneurs within the same geographic footprint as the foundation. Learn more or sign up for no-charge consultation services at northlandsbdc.org.
Celebrating Curt Walczak as he retires from the Northland SBDC
After more than two decades advising northeast Minnesota entrepreneurs, Curt Walczak retires this month as Associate Regional Director of the Northland Small Business Development Center. He is leaving behind an incredible legacy of championing small businesses and empowering entrepreneurs to realize their small business dreams.
In 2001, Curt swapped out a 19-year career in the private sector for the challenges and rewards of small business consulting, working with what was then the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Center for Economic Development (CED).
For the next 23 years, he imparted expert guidance to hundreds of clients to plan, launch, and build their own businesses. He helped folks through economic boom times, recession, and the unknowns of a global pandemic. Throughout it all, his steady focus on sound business planning, financial management, marketing, and harnessing technology for growth have put many an aspiring entrepreneur and small business owner on firmer footing.
As you hang up your SBDC hat, Curt, thank you for everything you’ve done for the organization, your clients, and our region. Happy retirement, and here is to a fabulous next phase!